Historical sophistication and touches of glamour play nicely in this principal bedroom, which is in a century-old Georgian city home. Painstakingly restored plaster mouldings add subtle visual interest to the neutral walls, while an ornate, Eastern-influenced statue and Barbara Barry table lamp pick up on the gilded design on the headboard. An upholstered bench and velvety throw pillow are lighthearted but luxe additions.

The principal bedroom of this Toronto triplex-turned-family home is a soothing retreat. An exposed brick chimney breast provides a hit of warm texture to the bright, white space, while the tiled firebox brings colour and playfulness. An ornate picture rail makes a pretty headboard for the minimalist bed.

The principal bedroom in this Toronto neo-Colonial is all about the view — the homeowners skipped window treatments and kept the walls almost totally adornment-free so the space would feel “like sleeping in a treehouse.” A Missoni throw adds upbeat pattern and colour, which is accentuated by a pair of Jieldé lamps. An antique Bijar rug gives the spacious room a hit of global style.

In designer James Davie‘s principal bedroom, purple doors and an oxblood red leather bed frame come to life against neutral walls. “It’s just what you’d want in a nighttime room,” he says. “Rich and enveloping.” An ornate lamp feels luxe, while the side table it’s sitting on is fronted by repurposed metal grates.

This sunny principal bedroom features a deft mix of high and low; the industrial-inspired reading lamp and upholstered headboard are chic touches that elevate a basic Parsons-style nightstand. Artfully rumpled linen sheets have a sense of casual luxury, while underfoot, a faux sheepskin rug warms up light wood floors.

Designer Betty Theodoropoulos used a tone-on-tone palette to give the principal bedroom of her downtown Toronto home the feel of a restful retreat. A patterned wallpaper adds a whimsical fairy-tale feel; its botanical motif is reflected in the eye-catching light fixture.

Grey and white looks divine with green accessories. In this space, patterned bed linens are complemented by coloured shams. A recovered armchair formerly in a living room looks right at home next to the accent table.

Hang a kilim rug on the wall to extend a headboard and bring more attention to the bed.

“Rather than the commitment of wallpaper or a typical painting, I wanted to add texture, frame the bed, and add depth and richness to the room,” says designer and TV personality Lisa Rogers. Textiles on the bed add colour.

A dramatic black wool area rug with a black linen banding creates a darker, moodier feel in Marilyn’s bedroom, popping against the crisp white blackout drapes. “Because of my weird [work] hours, my bedroom has to be a sanctuary — and it truly is,” she says.

A Louis bed, snapped up for $200 at a garage sale, sits in the bedroom of designer Sharon Mimran’s daughter. Drapery, linens and chandelier crystals in pale blue tones brighten the dark wood furniture.

For more design and decorating ideas, browse our French Country Style gallery. Or, to see more of Sharon Mimran’s house, watch our Online TV segment. See more pretty, Tiffany-inspired interiors in our photo gallery.

A simple palette of periwinkle blue and white works beautifully in this bedroom overlooking Miami. Off-centred artwork, also white, adds texture. Curtains can be drawn for privacy and to soften the light.

A bergere chair reupholstered in sky blue fabric adds a pop of colour.

To create an oasis of calm in a sea of chaos, homeowner Danielle Nicholas, of the W Network show Building Bryks, layered shades of white in different textures — a pin-tucked duvet, a faux-fur throw, crisp marble tile — to give the principal bedroom visual interest while maintaining a singular palette.

In rooms with varied ceiling heights, paint the walls, ceiling and beams in the same colour.

Designer Tom Scheerer opened up the attic in this small late nineteenth-century home and turned it into a beachy bedroom complete with a bathroom in the back. Aqua blue paint sets a serene backdrop for the white bedding and canopy. Vintage fixtures and dormer windows add character to the design.

See more photos from inside Rooms to Inspire by the Sea in our photo gallery, or check out other pretty, Tiffany-inspired interiors in this photo gallery.

New York City philanthropist and socialite Brooke Astor approached legendary interior designer Albert Hadley to transform her bedroom with fabrics by Alan Campbell. She was madly enthusiastic about Campbell’s hand-blocked cotton prints. His designs were the foundation of the room’s springy pale green and ivory colour palette. The walls were clad in a small-patterned fabric that was applied like wallpaper. The green is anchored by white trim and a soft white carpet, keeping the room bright and fresh.

“My goal in creating my bedroom was to be happy in it,” says photographer Oberto Gili, who used bold strokes of colour and oversized scale to convey the passion for the things he loves. Note how he hung his beloved objects — from the chandelier to birdcage and art — exactly where it pleased him, which makes the space not only look beautiful but feel deeply personal.

Vintage bird prints hang everywhere in this guest room, known as “The Bird Room.” By placing the headboard against the window, designer Philip Mitchell was able to use a larger bed while keeping clearance under the sloped ceiling.

Vintage finds from European markets transform a New York City apartment.

Layer upon layer of pattern gives this principal bedroom, designed by Kishani Perera, a romantic vibe. The flea-market bed, redone in charcoal damask, now has a more youthful, modern feel. Keeping the damask, vintage polka-dot throw and chevron pillows in the same subtle blue-gray palette ensures the disparate patterns complement each other rather than compete. Tone-on-tone floral wallpaper, an opulent chandelier and luxurious sateen draperies complete the look of decadence.

See more interiors from Kishani Perera’s Vintage Remix in our photo gallery.

Lit by handsome tall original sash windows, the spare bedroom is home to an early-1800s teak village bed that was shipped back from Rajasthan, India. En route, it lost its tiles and broke to bits. It was reassembled in London by a master joiner, and homeowner Alistair Green scoured the city to find the new tiles.

In this pale blue principal bedroom by Sarah Richardson Design, an antique French bed and leggy bedside tables exude dignity and refinement. The armchairs were a winning find already upholstered in grey-blue linen.

In the bedroom of a London, England home, designer Sarah Richardson looked to nature as her guide, setting twin antique brass beds against soft green walls and bedding. “This shade is a favourite of mine,” she says, citing a mossy stone wall visible outside the windows as inspiration for the palette.

Designer and popular blogger Emma Reddington countered the light, ephemeral feel of this space with a rough reclaimed wood bed and bench. “The room itself is quite formal with the original fireplace, bay window and chandelier,” she explains. “But all of the furniture is informal, low to the floor and made of the most basic materials.” The throw pillows, for instance, are fashioned out of an old rug.

Homeowners Nadia Caron and Karl Dalery sourced and collected spruce barnboard planks for two years, ensuring they would be able to run the same flooring throughout their chalet-style house in North Hatley, Quebec.

While many of us choose beige or off-white walls, interior designer Theresa Casey embraces the rainbow: “Colour is the easiest way to transform your space — you can have a wall come forward or recede. Sometimes a small room doesn’t have a lot of light, and you add a beautiful eggplant purple and voilà, your space is cosy and warm.”

Linen in an attention-grabbing citrine injects a heavy dose of pattern into designer Sarah Callanan’s 260-square-foot bedroom. The queen-size bed takes up most of the space, so a small dresser and built-in were tucked under a three-foot-deep beam, and a new closet and laundry area were installed in one tidy corner.

Get more design and decorating ideas in our Designer Bedrooms photo gallery, or tour the rest of Sarah Callanan’s home in our Online TV segment.

Designer Philip Mitchell went to great effort to centre the doorway in this sweet little guest room, but the move was necessary to accommodate both twin beds. Sketches of schooners and the porthole mirror reference the home’s location — the seaside town of Chester.

Mad Men actor and interior designer Bryan Batt featured this serene bedroom in his recent design book Big, Easy Style. The Benjamin Moore wall colour is appropriately named Sweet Dreams. The toile drapery and headboard add a touch of pattern, while white side tables, Jonathan Adler ceramic lamps and a white duvet offer crisp contrast.

See more interiors from Bryan Batt’s Big, Easy Style in our photo gallery and check out more pretty, Tiffany-inspired interiors in this photo gallery.

In this serene principal bedroom designed by Amy Lau, raised striations on the duvet are reminiscent of a sandy beach, complementing the ocean-inspired wall colour. A five-armed Serge Mouille sconce, meanwhile, loosely resembles the form of a starfish.

See more interiors from Amy Lau’s Expressive Modern in our photo gallery.

The midtown Manhattan apartment of jewelry designer Barbara S. Gross is dark and dramatic, but this guest bedroom exudes a playful, feminine style. Painterly cherry blossoms printed on Clarence House wallpaper add a chinoiserie element. Wallpapering all four walls and the ceiling makes a large room seem small and cosy.

See more interiors from Amy Lau’s Expressive Modern in our photo gallery.

Designer Anne Hepfer used a restrained hand in this principal bedroom, opting for soothing colours and predominantly solid fabrics. Details such as the trimmed bedskirt and basketweave rug make the room feel tailored and welcoming.

Despite the absence of colour, jewelry designer Maryam Keyhani’s principal bedroom still radiates plenty of elegance and drama, thanks to the classic shapes of the bow-front dresser, paper chandelier and fashion motifs that give it a Parisian-apartment feel.

Designer Connie Braemer designed the four-poster bed in homeowner Betsy Aziz’s principal bedroom. Pattern and colour are evident throughout: chartreuse chests, vibrant art, and the suzani covering the back of the sofa.

In the principal bedroom of a Victorian reno, HGTV star and Toronto designer Tommy Smythe went with a mostly grey palette. To add interest, he combined grey patterns — a graphic charcoal rug, chevron bench, and duvet with Egyptian key pattern. A vintage glass light fixture also adds personality to the room.

Montreal designer Julie Charbonneau had bedside tables built into a long wooden headboard to save floor space and create a cohesive look in this elegant bedroom. She then layered the room with sumptuous textures for a cosy effect, covering dark floors with a soft hide rug and topping the bed with a faux fur throw.

Blue and acid green colours set a soothing tone in the principal bedroom. A flashy ceiling fixture and headboard upholstered in an iconic David Hicks hexagon pattern blend effortlessly with a pair of low-hung ornate sconces — the resulting mix is the epitome of Sasha Seymour’s ’70s Parisian-apartment vision.

Upstairs, Colette van den Thillart’s bedroom serves as her own lab. All fabric is by NH Design, used here before debuting in the collection. “Nobody has these yet. I couldn’t wait to see them in 3-D,” she says.

Cosy up bedrooms with toasty-warm wool blankets, sumptuous velvet pillows and striped bedding in brown shades from beige to chocolate.

Chamomile-coloured walls ensure a sunny feel year-round and are neutral enough to work with most decorating schemes. Add a little life with a quirky gooseberry wreath and a small pitcher of wildflowers bedside.

Montreal designer Julie Charbonneau went with a soft palette of taupe and beige for this feminine bedroom. The panelling on the lower half of the wall is painted darkest, upper wall colour a lighter shade, and the crown moulding a warm shade of white, drawing the eye upwards from the panelling. Charbonneau also added a bold black light fixture and curtain rod to ground the lightness of the room.

See more interiors by Julie Charbonneau in our photo gallery, plus browse photos of her own home.

It can be challenging to make a bedroom with high ceilings warm and cosy, but Montreal designer Julie Charbonneau pulled it off here. Position the curtain rod a few inches higher than the window to make the window seem taller, and choose a bed frame that elevates the mattress to balance out the high ceilings. A tufted ottoman and extra-high upholstered headboard also add warmth to the space.

See more interiors by Julie Charbonneau in our photo gallery, plus browse photos of her own home.

Horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines play off each other, creating harmony in this quiet cottage-style space. A nature-inspired bedside vignette features a rustic handcrafted table and a sculptural branch lamp.

Colourful luggage and an old trunk are practical alternatives to a bench.

Creative couple Susan and William Brinson know colour and composition. Both graduates of the Savannah College of Art and Design, they chose to artfully mix the rough look of their Manhattan loft with feminine bedding and vintage accents.

A crisp palette contrasts with the country warmth of painted wood panelling.

This Murphy bed uses a suspension system that makes it possible to lift with one finger. On both sides of the queen-size bed, a niche in the wall acts as a side table and is wired with a reading light. When the bed is folded up, homeowners Barbara and Michael Purdy use the freed-up space as a workout area.

Designer Brad Ford deftly carved out an oasis of calm amid the chaos of urban living. In his New York City bedroom, his dog Turbo relaxes on the low bed, which features built-in end tables and reading lamps, designed to fit snugly under the window.

Designer Scott Yetman loves to integrate elements. Here, the wall that divides the bathroom from the bedroom is also a headboard. Drawing inspiration from the outdoors, Scott chose an abundance of wood paired with shades of soft green, creating a upscale cabin look.

“This master bedroom is a perfect example of restrained luxury,” says designer Scott Yetman. “The Swedish-style furniture trimmed in gold, the solid crystal lamp completed with a custom-pleated shade, and the harmony of the silk damask pillow against the rougher more woven fabric of the bed are completed by a beautifully hand loomed, but natural looking carpet.

To accommodate proper storage for the owner’s suits and jackets, the architect working with designer Kate Zeidler lined one full wall with white cupboards. American elm shelves along the top and side make them look less monolithic and add more book storage. A rolling ladder makes the upper cabinets accessible.

This home’s only bedroom illustrates Richard Ouellette and Maxime Vandal of Les Ensembliers‘ approach to decor: nothing matches yet it melds together effortlessly. Bird-print wallpaper acts as a neutral backdrop for modern ikat pillows and weathered-wood pieces.

In Christine and Ken Woolner’s bedroom, the damask wallpaper lends a more feminine look than the rest of the dramatic house. Designer James McIntyre kept the furniture simple with a bed upholstered in white velvet, elegant antique tables and simple art.

The lower-level guest suite of the 2011 Princess Margaret Showhome offers a private haven, perfect for a young adult. Like most of the furniture and fittings on this floor, the bed, chest and chair are courtesy of Ikea. A bold modern Pierre Frey damask-print wallpaper inspired the room’s raspberry accents.

A palette of creams and tans gives this bedroom a sophisticated, soothing vibe, while the stunning cane bed adds character and authentic French flair. Identical lamps sit on open and closed night tables, for a feeling of symmetry that’s not too “matchy.” A textured rug helps warm up the large room, too.

A quirky lamp, with an English-pub feel, doesn’t look out of place atop the antique sideboard. The bright red rug breaks up the extensive wood with a pop of colour.

Photographer:

Louise Bilodeau

Source:

Maison & Demeure July-August 2010 issue

Charming Cabin Bedroom

A polished nickel bed adds sparkle.

Shades of wheat, green and blue offer serene contrast to the dark stained walls and ceiling. Although wood panelling can sometimes make a room feel sombre, a large window floods the room with sunlight, keeping the overall feel warm and bright.

The open ceiling in this principal bedroom enhances the airiness of the bright white space. Natural linen bedding gives the bed a soft, slightly rumpled European look. Mosquito netting is a charming accent — and a practical touch in the country.

An antique brass bed layered with a country quilt and tons of pillows is an inviting destination in designer Sarah Richardson’s holiday home. From polka-dots to paisley to floral and stripes, Sarah is a master at mixing unexpected textiles.

The owners of this century-old lakeside home kept the original pine floors, which were in pristine condition. A splash of white paint brightens the room’s panelled walls, while the natural wood finish on the ceiling adds warmth. Contemporary lamps and bedside tables keep the look sophisticated.

Symmetry is key in homeowner Tanya Linton’s contemporary principal bedroom. To keep the space interesting, Tanya mixed prints and textures while keeping with the black-and-white scheme. Raw wood side tables and benches are casual and warm.

Ceiling-height drapes and a light palette visually expand this small space.

In designer Trish Johnston’s small principal bedroom, the walls, Flokati rug and duvet cover are a crisp, clean white to create a tranquil backdrop. Johnston built on the neutral scheme with boldly coloured accessories like deep orange throw pillows and taupe and blue patterned drapes, all of which can be easily switched out when the mood strikes.

In this principal bedroom, pinstripes create a tailored look, while a hide headboard adds texture. A modern glass lamp is the perfect foil for a woodsy side table. Enjoying the comfort of the bedding’s plush pillows is the homeowners’ American cocker spaniel.

A variety of patterns in this bedroom make a bold statement: the bird-motif wallpaper and Source UK’s Pom Pom rug, based on Japanese shibori, a tie-dye technique. The teeny bedside table is both charming and useful in this tight space.

Carved wood bird lamps were an inexpensive find. Their shades are pink and white gingham fabric with black bobble trim. The bedspread is a French matelassé from the homeowner’s firm, Black & Spiro Interior Design.

Homeowner Heidi Smith chose a standout pendant light for the principal bedroom, drawing the eye upward toward the beamed ceilings. White bedding with hints of subdued pattern is in keeping with the neutral palette of the cottage.

A cascade of pretty pleats from a ceiling-mounted canopy frames this bed and softens the space.

Take cues from the poetic mix of flowing silk chiffon and chunky knits seen on the fashion runways and inject wistful charm into a sparely decorated bedroom by layering muddy hues in different textures. Perfectly rumpled linens dial down the fuss factor, while an ancestral portrait bestows a noble air.

Use furniture pieces in new ways — cabinets can make wonderful bedside tables.

In designer Karen Cole’s bedroom, two mismatched tall found cabinets stand on either side of the bed and act as storage units for socks and delicates. A large kilim-upholstered ottoman, layered atop a graphic Madeline Weinrib area rug, brings the home’s exotic feel upstairs.

A chocolate herringbone-patterned bedspread and taupe and toile pillows make this traditional bedroom appealing. “The gender-neutral decor is inviting and comfortable for my husband. It still has a softness but isn’t overly feminine,” says interior designer Sloan Mauran. South-facing windows bathe the room in sunlight, and elegant ivory silk taffeta curtains flank each side of them. Gold studs on the tufted bench add drama.

Try this fresh hue in a graphic pattern for a bold hit of colour and texture.

While there are more shades of green than any other colour in the spectrum, classic kelly green is a particularly pretty choice for interiors, where it mingles effortlessly with everything from brights to whites. In this bedroom, painting trim the same verdant hue as the wallpaper’s graphic trellis pattern produces a more decorated look, while strategic hits of black add urban polish.

It’s the epitome of the graphic-meets-glamorous look: a room inspired by a print of Marilyn Monroe by the king of pop art, Andy Warhol. The gold-toned bed is a warm contrast to the black and white furniture and linens. Retro-style lamps, on low side tables, suit the minimalist design.

For more beautiful interiors by Lloyd Ralphs Design, see our photo gallery.

In this master suite, designed by Lloyd Ralphs Design, a soft taupe feature wall offsets quietly luxurious elements, such as the sleek white upholstered headboard, mirrored side tables and lamps. Black and white bedding is mixed with zebra-print sheets for added graphic appeal.

For more beautiful interiors by Lloyd Ralphs Design, see our photo gallery.

In 2011, traditionalists are expressing their inner rebels with a riot of clashing colours and bold patterns. Chinoiserie wallpaper mixes with a camp-style red point blanket to offer appealing tension and an upholstered headboard gets an edgy update with nailhead detailing. Classic lampshades on swing-arm lamps, while still pleated and pretty, swap out more staid shades for exotic brights. Bits of gold detailing throughout add a balancing dose of traditional polish.

A wall-mounted bedside light in this guest bedroom, designed by Anne Hepfer, frees up the red tray table for pretty and practical touches that help guests feel at home. Anne added intricate details, such as the fabric appliquéd to the curtains.

The bedroom of Tommy Smythe, associate designer with Sarah Richardson Design, is a marked departure in style from the rest of his one-bedroom apartment. “The living room is fun and energetic, but I wanted this room to be serene,” he says. He painted the walls a soft grey-green to achieve that effect.

See more of Tommy’s houses, from past to present, in our photo gallery.

Designer Michael Angus’s Toronto Apartment has character. In the principal bedroom, Michael painted the crown moulding a high-gloss version of the grey-green wall colour to visually extend the ceiling height. To create an air of calm and serenity, fabrics and surfaces were kept simple, free of patterns or bright colours. Crystal balustrade lamps, heavy flowing drapes and subtle gold accents make this hotel-like space luxurious.

Project Runway Canada Season 2 winner, Sunny Fong, chose a masculine colour palette for his bedroom. In sharp contrast from the rest of his bright apartment, he chose to cover the walls with a velvety black paint. Always crafty with his hands, Sunny fashioned a headboard out of a wood door which he found.

An English sleigh bed, silver candlesticks and an antique rug evoke old world charm.

Tommy Smythe of Sarah Richardson Design turned this petite, 180-square-foot apartment into a chic gentleman’s retreat using a sophisticated palette and vintage pieces. An antique writing desk does triple-duty, serving as a dining table, nightstand and desk. “It’s the best thing I own,” says Smythe. “It’s not some piece of convertible modern furniture, but it does the trick for everything.”